CHAPTER 2

         ‘God… Some things never change,’ Dea told herself.

          She flashed a friendly smile at one of the older Kralidis women. But, as expected, the old crow dressed in unrelieved black didn’t reciprocate as she drew the lovely heiress she just talked to earlier, away from the crowd, to the other side of the garden.

          Well… once a black sheep, always a black sheep. It was as if the Kralidis family believed she could corrupt the young woman with just her mere presence. So narrow-minded, so unbelievably quick to judge.

          Dea strolled along the garden, sipping from her water glass as if she didn’t feel all eyes on her. As if she didn’t feel the skin on her back burning. She was being paranoid, she knew that. Many of the relatives had been indifferent to her when she had lived in Athens. Yet no one seemed content that she had returned. And, somehow, she knew the reason of their reaction…

          She sensed a strange undercurrent that hung in the late summer breeze. These people were convinced she was going to make a mistake, cause a scandal or even start World War III and IV together… It was as if the Kralidis family was waiting for disaster and bracing themselves for impact.

          Oh, well… They were in for a long wait. Dea locked her smile into place. That was something the old Dea would do. She was stronger and wiser now, and more in control of her emotions.

          This time she would belong.

          This time she was determined to fit in.

          This time she was determined to show this family she was worthy of their attention and their appreciation. And maybe they would show her she could trust them… ALL.

          Dea straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrant garden flowers. She closed her eyes for a second trying to remember a time when things went better between her and the Kralidis family. When she didn’t feel like an outsider, like a walking curse, created to destroy the powerful Greek family.

“Dea?”

          She opened her eyes and startled when she recognized the male voice. She whirled around and saw her cousin Alexis Kralidis. Instinctively, she took a step back and wished she hadn’t shown any sign of weakness. She corrected herself and welcomed him with a smile before he surprised her… embracing her with a strong hug.

“It has been so long… Too long…” Alexis said as he kissed both her cheeks.

“Yes, it has,” she agreed, taking a couple of steps back, not allowing his touch to linger more than an instant.

           Alexis looked exactly as she remembered… with his long face, lanky build, and black hair that flopped over his forehead.

“Congratulations to you and your fiancée. And thank you for inviting me to your new home. It’s absolutely stunning.”

“Astra’s family gave it to us as an earlier wedding present.”

“Well, this mansion is a dream. I think you and your fiancée will be very happy here.”

          He thrust his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his feet.

“Tell me the truth… Can you imagine me getting married?” Alexis asked smiling lightly.

          Dea silently shook her head. Alexis was three years older and she had been grateful for his friendship, but he had always seemed quite immature for his age.

“And you’re a vice president with the ‘Kralidis Group’… How about that?”

          Alexis ducked his head.

“That won’t be official until Astra and I come back from our honeymoon.”

“Your family is very proud of you, Alexis, and they want you to have the best of everything. You really deserve it… So, again, congratulations,” she said huskily as the words caught in her throat.

          He had understood the rules very early on and, more importantly, had followed them. In return, he was rewarded handsomely. She wondered what it was like to be loved and accepted by the family… She wanted that now more than ever.

          Dea had yearned for a wisp of connection with her parents but she had waited for them to make the first move. She now regretted her lack of action when her mother had died suddenly of a heart attack several months ago.

          She knew she had to do something immediately if she wanted to have at least a cordial relationship with her father, her only living relative, the only piece left standing between her having a family and being totally alone in the world.

          If she wanted that, she would have to be the first one to apologize, to yield, to change. But what kind of sacrifices would she have to make to have her father accept her? How much would she have to hide about herself to be considered lovable?

          Alexis’s smile dipped as the light dimmed from his eyes.

“That’s very kind of you, Dea. Especially after… well, you know… After what happened between us.”

          ‘That damn night again…’

          Shock washed over her and she fought for a mildly interested expression. She hadn’t been prepared for Alexis, for any Kralidis, to mention that night again. Dea wanted to cross her arms and back away but she was like… frozen. The only thing she felt was the pressure of her fingertips as they pressed against the cool surface of her water glass.

          He shoved his hand in his hair and looked away.

“You know… I didn’t handle the situation well,” Alexis confessed in a low tone.

          She fought the urge to find a quick getaway.

“As a matter of fact, no one did,” Dea mumbled.

          Dea had been branded a whore, the American slut, a woman determined to snag a Kralidis man for a husband and ruin any potential marriages that had been carefully orchestrated since the Kralidis men weren’t even born.

          After that night, she had been considered extremely dangerous to the Kralidis family’s future and treated accordingly.  

“I promise I didn’t know that one of the maids had seen us.”

          What?!

          Dea blinked and looked at him with bewilderment. That was what he was apologizing for? That they had been… caught? Interrupted? She pressed her lips together before she said anything.

          She had to repeat herself she was a new Dea, she had to be on her best behavior. But, in all honesty, it was so damn tempting to give a scathing reply to this pathetic, spineless little man.

“I couldn’t believe that maid went and told Theo,” Alexis continued and bitter anger bloomed in his voice. “What had she been thinking?”

          Again, Dea bit her tongue off as she fought back the words. The maid had known exactly what Alexis’s intentions had been. Dea wished she had figured it out earlier. She had always seen Alexis as a cousin who helped her navigate a big family, not as a viable lover.

“And I know this is years too late, but… I should have said something then…”

          Alexis splayed out his hands.

“I didn’t realize you would have been so severely punished.”

          While looking at him, Dea agreed once again with what she had said earlier. Some people never change… Alexis was still immature for his age.

          Her jaw hurt as she fought to remain silent and took a small sip from her water glass. She wanted to point out that she had NEVER encouraged him, or that it was NEVER too late to right a wrong.

          He could have protected her from the fallout at any time. But talking, admitting it was all his fault, wouldn’t have served him. That’s why he was a vice-president of ‘Kralidis Group’ right now. That’s why he was living in a big mansion, surrounded by his family.

          And if there was something she had learned over the years, especially after that infamous night, it was that men didn’t understand the meaning of honor, respect, or protection. They pursued, they took what they could get and they got out fast.

“So, how long are you planning to stay in Greece?” Alexis asked with a puzzled expression when she didn’t reply.

          Dea darted a glance at her father standing among the older Kralidis men. Her first goal was to ask for forgiveness for her past behavior but she didn’t know if her father would give her the chance.

“Uhm… I’m not quite sure,” she murmured. “My plans aren’t set in stone.”

“Then you must come to my wedding,” he continued, his eyes widening with enthusiasm.

          Dea raised her hand to halt that line of thinking.

“I’m… I don’t want to intrude.”

“‘Intrude’?” Alexis laughed. “That’s not possible. You’re part of this family… You’re my cousin.”

          She wished it were true. She wished she didn’t have this need to belong somewhere. To be somebody’s somebody… She had always been the outsider. The burden.

          Dea was used to it, and at times wore the label like a badge of honor, but everything changed after her mother’s death. She wanted to be loved, accepted, and part of a family.

“You must agree,” Alexis insisted. “You must say yes…”

“Aundrea must say yes to what?”

          Instantly, cold shivers went down her spine. Dea went still when she heard the low, masculine voice.

          Theo Kralidis was here.

          He was standing next to her. Her pulse began to gallop as her stomach made a sickening turn. Her skin went hot and then cold but she refused to look in his direction.

“Oh, I invited Dea to my wedding,” Alexis said with a touch of defiance.

“I doubt there’s space,” Theo responded.

“No problem… I can make space,” Alexis promised Dea. “It’s going to be on an island that Astra’s family owns. It’s small, but not that small.”

          Dea nervously licked her lips as panic swelled inside her. It pressed against her skin, ready to burst free. Every instinct told her to run but she stood as still as a statue.

“Never mind, Alexis… I… I wouldn’t want to cause any inconvenience for you or your bride,” she explained huskily.

“You won’t,” Alexis said with a lopsided smile. “Listen, I’ll go ask Astra right now.”

          She watched helplessly as Alexis strode toward his fiancée. She wanted to run and hide but knew she had to be brave. At least appear fearless.

          From the corner of her eye, she saw Theo’s crisp white linen suit. She forced herself to turn. Dea looked straight ahead at his pale blue shirt. She tried to ignore how it emphasized the breadth of his powerful chest before she jerked her gaze to his face.

          Her breath snagged in her throat as her heartbeat roared in her ears. She stared at Theo’s luxuriant black hair that fell past his chin. The shadow of a dark beard almost diminished the whitened scar on his upper lip.

          Dea blinked. This was not the Theo she’d known. Noting the bold lines of his cheekbones and nose, the slash of his mouth, and his warm golden skin. She recalled how he’d once kept his hair ruthlessly short and had shaved twice a day.

          Now it looked as if he could no longer contain the wildness that rumbled through him. His dark brown eyes were cold as he callously assessed her and immediately found her lacking.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve…”

“I wasn’t asking for an invite,” Dea bit out. “He offered and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Perhaps he didn’t understand what you were saying. Perhaps you should have insisted more…”

          His gaze drifted to her mouth.

“You’re incapable of saying 'no' to a man… any man if I recall correctly.”